Howard named in England U20 squad

Ben Howard has been named in the 28-man England Under 20 squad by coaches Nick Walshe and Ian Peel ahead of their IRB Junior World Championship campaign in France, which kicks off with a game against their French hosts on June 5.

The squad contains players with a huge amount of Aviva Premiership, A-League and RFU Championship experience, and Head Coach Walshe admitted he was pleased with the players at his disposal as they look to move on from last season's seventh-place finish.

Eight members of the squad played in last year's competition while the likes of Howard, Jack Nowell, Jack Clifford, Ollie Devoto and Henry Slade have all played Aviva Premiership rugby over recent weeks.

Walshe said: "We enjoyed a good Six Nations and on the back of that, competition for places has been high and some good players have missed out. However, we're very pleased with the 28 selected. The games come thick and fast in this tournament, we've got a very tough group but we're excited by that challenge."

"After France, Six Nations winners England face title-holders South Africa before coming up against USA, who are competing in the JWC for the first time in five years.

"All our attention is on that first game against the French, we did well against them in the Six Nations but this will be a totally different game. It's one we're looking forward to."